A Short Note for Math 126 Students

What is Math 126 about?

Math 126 is the third course in the introductory calculus sequence. We begin by moving calculus into three dimensions: vectors, lines, planes, surfaces, and motion through space. We then study derivatives of functions of several variables, including gradients and optimization. The course finishes with sequences, series, and Taylor approximation.

What should I remember coming in?

You do not need to remember every trick from your previous calculus courses. The background that matters most is being comfortable with algebra, trigonometry, functions, graphs, and derivatives. If those skills are rusty, review them as they come up. Ask questions early rather than waiting for a small gap to become a large one.

How do I learn this material?

Mostly by doing mathematics. Watching someone solve a problem can make it look easy; solving a new problem yourself is different. Use lecture, homework, worksheets, test-prep problems, office hours, and the Math Study Center together. When you get stuck, a useful habit is to ask: What am I given? What do I want? Then identify the mathematical tools that connect the two.

A few suggestions

Keep up with the course. Math is much harder to learn in a last-minute burst.
Do enough routine problems to build fluency, but spend real time on problems that require several ideas.
Draw pictures. In Math 126, a good sketch is often part of the mathematics.
Use office hours and the Math Study Center before you feel completely lost.
After an exam, learn from what happened and move forward. One exam does not define the quarter.

Math 126 can be challenging, but it also contains some beautiful mathematics. Be curious, ask questions, and give yourself time to learn it.